Shed forming device for the textile industry

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a shed forming device without a harness for the textile industry, preferably a weaving device which contains a number of healds ( 4 ) with thread eyelets ( 5 ) for guiding the warp threads. The healds ( 4 ) are guided through boreholes ( 31, 31 ′) of guide elements ( 20, 6 ). Said healds ( 4 ) are positioned in such a way, that at least one of the guide elements ( 6 ) is configured as a lifting element of a lift generating device, in order to perform a vertical ascending and descending movement. An optional connection between the guide element ( 6 ) and the heald ( 4 ) can be made and electrically controlled by catch devices in the horeholes ( 31, 31 ′), in such a way, that the heald can be caught by the lifting movement. A shed of warp threads can thus be formed which conforms to a pattern.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention concerns a shed forming device for the textile industry,comprising movable positioning elements having thread eyes for receivingthreads of a material web to be produced, at least one guide element forguiding the positioning elements, a lift generating device andselectively actuable arresting devices for connecting or releasing thepositioning elements to or from the lift generating device in such a waythat the threads of the material web to be produced can be moved intopositions which are in accordance with a pattern and a weave.

STATE OF THE ART

When weaving textiles threads extending in parallel (warp threads) in aweaving machine are moved in accordance with a desired pattern into anupper shed and a lower shed position respectively in order in that wayto form the so-called weaving shed through which the weft thread can beguided transversely to the direction of the above-specified warpthreads. After the weft thread is passed from one side of the materialweb to the other, the next weaving shed is produced with a differentdistribution of the warp threads in the upper shed and lower shedrespectively, in accordance with the pattern to be woven, and the nextweft thread is passed through the new weaving shed. In the simplest caseone warp thread is introduced alternately into the upper shed and onewarp thread into the lower shed (linen or basket weave).

The Jacquard weaving procedure is also known for the production of morecomplicated weaving patterns, in which the movement of the individualwarp threads (hereinafter: individual threads) can be controlled inaccordance with a certain program. Each individual thread for thatpurpose is passed through a yarn eye on a positioning element, theso-called heald, wherein the positioning element is fixed at one end toa resilient spring and at the other end to a lift element. A movement ofthe lift element causes a pulling force to be applied to the positioningelement which thereby moves perpendicularly to the plane of the materialweb to be woven, causing the string to be stretched, and in so doingentrains the individual thread which passes through the thread eye. Theindividual threads are thus passed into the so-called upper shed.Individual threads which are passed through the yarn eye of apositioning element and to which no pulling force is applied by a liftelement in contrast remain in the lower shed position. The term Jacquardmachine in the narrower sense is used to designate the lift generatingdevice in which the positioning elements can be connected to or releasedfrom a moving lift element of the lift generating device selectively,that is to say in accordance with the weaving step to be implemented inorder to produce a given pattern. A Jacquard machine of that kind isgenerally disposed centrally and at some height above the loom as thepositioning elements extending from the Jacquard machine (harness twineswith healds and counter-pull springs) must be distributed over the widthof the material web and in that case the hardness twines are not toinvolve excessively sharp angles so that excessively severe bending doesnot occur. The distribution of the positioning elements over the widthof the material web is achieved by way of guide and arranging elements(the so-called web harness). A disadvantage with the known Jacquardweaving procedure is that, because of the described structure, itrequires a considerable amount of space in terms of height and that thestructural elements such as in particular the guide elements and thesprings, at the high weaving speeds that the arrangement aims toachieve, are exposed to an enormous loading which results in rapid wearof those elements.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,186,439 discloses a loom in which, by means of a weavingharness-like arresting device which for the major part is mounted infront of the movable lift elements, the healds can be connected to andreleased from those lift elements which are movable up and down. For thepurposes of reading or picking out the respective next shed position thehealds, governed by the structure involved, are necessarily always movedinto the middle shed after each pick. This arrangement, by virtue of thestructure involved, does not afford a stationary guide and arrestingdevice.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention was to provide a shed forming devicefor the textile industry, which is structurally simpler and more compactand which operates reliably and with a low rate of wear even at highcycle speeds.

That object is attained by a shed forming device for the textileindustry, which includes movable positioning elements having thread eyesfor receiving threads (warp threads) of a material web to be produced,at least one guide element for guiding the positioning elements, a liftgenerating device which can operate in a predetermined cycle sequence,and selectively actuable arresting devices for connecting or releasingthe positioning elements to or from the lift generating device in such away that the threads of the material web to be produced can be movedinto positions which are in accordance with a pattern and a weave. Theshed forming device is characterised in that at least one of the guideelements is in the form of a lift element of the lift generating deviceand is provided with arresting devices. The positioning elements canalso be provided with arresting devices.

By virtue of a guide element being in the form of a lift element itbecomes at the same time an arranging element which contributes toarranging the individual threads in a given shed. For the sake ofsimplicity hereinafter however reference will still only be made toguide elements. The guide elements provide for distribution and guidanceof the positioning elements over the width of the material web to beproduced. The consequence of at least one of those guide elements beingin the form of a lift element and being provided with arresting devicesis that at least a part of the positioning elements is entrained by theguide element and therefore the transmission of the lift movement isdistributed over the width of the material web. Unlike the situation inthe state of the art therefore the corresponding positioning elements donot need to be provided with so-called harness twines and they in turndo not need to be deflected at a comparatively sharp angle at the guideelements to a centrally arranged Jacquard machine. That has on the onehand the advantage that there are no direction-changing locations withcorresponding frictional losses and wear. On the other hand thepositioning elements can be of a different nature in terms of theirproperties. In particular they do not have to be so flexible that theypermit a change in direction of that kind. That permits a greater degreeof freedom in terms of the design configuration and choice of materialfor the positioning elements, in which respect in particular it ispossible for them to be rigid to flexurally elastic, so that it ispossible to omit a counter-pull spring at the opposite end of thepositioning element. In that way it is possible to save on a furthercomponent which suffers from severe wear.

Preferably there are provided a plurality of guide elements which arearranged parallel and at a spacing relative to each other and which atthe same time are in the form of a lift element of the lift generatingdevice. By virtue of having a plurality of guide elements in the form ofa lift element, it is possible to form more complicated sheds. Thus forexample the individual threads can be set to a lower shed, a middleshed, and an upper shed, whereby it is also possible to provide for usethereof for double-plush weaving machines (three-position weavingmachines).

Optionally, there is preferably provided beside the guide element orelements in the form of a lift element, at least one further guideelement which can be of a stationary nature. Stationary guide elementsof that kind enhance the stability and precision of the movement of thepositioning elements and thus contribute to making it possible toachieve high weaving speeds in a reliable fashion and with a smooth modeof operation.

In this respect, in accordance with a development of the invention,arresting devices can be provided on the stationary guide elements, forconnecting or releasing the positioning elements to or from the guideelement. By virtue of those arresting devices, it is thus possible tostationarily fix the positioning elements so that they cannotparticipate in any movement of the lift element. The arresting devicestherefore supplement corresponding arresting devices on the movableguide elements. In that respect, for a given positioning element, in agiven cycle of the weaving machine, there is only ever one of thearresting devices—either that on the movable guide element or that onthe stationary guide element—that is in the fixed condition (connectionto the corresponding guide element), while the other arresting device isreleased. The arresting devices on the stationary guide elements causethe positioning elements to remain in the respective position when thatis wanted by virtue of the patterning effect.

In accordance with. a development of the invention the guide elementshave a plurality of openings which are arranged at spacings and throughwhich the positioning elements are passed. The distribution of thepositioning elements over the material web to be produced can becontrolled in a simple manner, by means of the pattern of the openings.

Both the front regions, the front end regions and the end regions of thepositioning elements can be such that they can be connected to orreleased from the guide element or elements.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the positioning elementshaving the thread eyes are in the form of rigid, preferably flexurallyelastic and/or preferably one-piece bodies. A rigid or fixed designconfiguration affords the advantage that a high degree of stability ofthe positioning element can be achieved in that way. That isadvantageous in particular for the reason that the positioning elementis exposed to a considerable loading by virtue of the high cyclesequences in weaving machines. As the present invention provides thatthe positioning element does not have to be of any configurationsinvolving a change in direction, it does not have to be flexible like atwine, as in the state of the art. The positioning elements cantherefore be both less expensive and also at the same time more stableand can thus be produced more reliably. In addition the flexuralelasticity involved provides that the positioning element follows themovements of the lift element to which it is connected, in bothdirections. As a result it is possible in particular to omit acounter-pull spring at the other end of the positioning element. Thatnot only saves on manufacturing costs but also considerably reduces thesusceptibility to wear of the apparatus.

The arresting devices which are used in the shed forming deviceaccording to the invention are preferably electronically actuable inorder to produce or release arresting of the positioning elements. Theelectronic actuatability thereof ensures that virtually any desiredweaving pattern can be produced by suitable programming, in whichrespect a change in the pattern merely requires suitable re-programmingor replacement of the software.

In addition it can be provided in accordance with the invention that thearresting devices on the guide elements and/or the stationary guidearresting elements, in the region of the openings, have recesses for theselective engagement or non-engagement of noses which are provided onthe positioning elements, and that selectively actuable devices areprovided for moving the positioning elements transversely with respectto the lift direction into the engagement position or the non-engagementposition, and that the width of opening of the openings is such thatunimpeded lift movement is possible in the non-engagement position.Alternatively it can also be provided that the positioning elements haverecesses and corresponding noses are provided in the region of theopenings. In that way positioning elements can be easily arrested orreleased respectively. The device for moving the positioning elementstransversely with respect to the lift direction can be arrangedstationarily—in relation to the lift movement—and the positioningelements have completely or partially surrounding transversedisplacement elements which can be actuated in a suitable manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described by way of example hereinafter with referenceto the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the essential elements of aJacquard weaving apparatus in accordance with the state of the art,

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a positioning element and two guideelements from a shed forming device according to the invention,

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view showing the arrangement of positioningelements, two movable guide elements, a stationary arresting element, astationary guide element and a floor for setting up the positioningelements,

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view showing the arrangement of positioningelements, a movable guide element, a stationary arresting element, astationary guide element and a floor,

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view showing the arrangement of positioningelements, two movable guide elements, a stationary arresting element, astationary guide element and a floor,

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view showing an arrangement of positioningelements and a respective movable guide element arranged above and belowthe weaving shed, and two stationary guide elements,

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic view of an embodiment of an arresting device invarious positions,

FIG. 8 is a detail view of one of the arresting devices shown in FIG. 7,and

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic view of an alternative embodiment of anarresting device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a weaving machine known from thestate of the art, using the Jacquard weaving procedure. The actualweaving machine is identified by 1, the so-called weaving harness by 2and the Jacquard machine by 3. Such an arrangement implements individualthread control in accordance with a pattern, for each repeat, by meansof a Jacquard machine 3 and a harness 2 which forms the connection fromthe Jacquard machine to the weaving machine 1.

As the Jacquard machine 3 must be placed at a considerable height abovethe weaving machine 1, a suitable superstructure which carries theJacquard machine 3 and accordingly also a corresponding spatial heightfor the production building is required. Because of the continuouslyincreasing number of revolutions the harness is exposed to an extremelyhigh loading, so that frequently it has only a very short service life.

The high frictional values of the respective components involved infrictional relationship with each other such as the comber board and theharness twines, the generation of heat which occurs as a result and inparticular the problems of the counter-pull members in the form of coilsprings in respect of their dynamic performance make the harness a weakpoint in Jacquard weaving. In the triple combination of weaving machine1, Jacquard machine 3 and weaving harness 2, the weaving harness is theclearly weakest link in the chain and in part impedes both technicaloptions and also economical production.

The present invention resolves all the above-mentioned problems in thatthe harness is eliminated and, in place of the Jacquard machine whichwas hitherto required, it is possible to use a shed forming devicewhich, by means of movable and possibly also stationary guide elements,controls the positioning elements provided in accordance with theinvention (special healds) into which the warp threads are fitted, intothe desired upper shed and lower shed positions, in accordance with thepattern. As this shed forming device can be positioned at a low heightabove or above and/or below the shed, the expensive superstructuresbecome redundant. As a result Jacquard weaving can be carried out inproduction buildings of low height. Details and the operating principleof the shed forming device according to the invention are describedhereinafter with reference to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2 through7.

FIG. 2 show a perspective view showing three essential elements of theshed forming device according to the invention. Shown therein is apositioning element 4 which is referred to hereinafter as the heald,with a thread eye 5. A warp thread of the material web to be produced ispassed through the thread eye 5 so that it can be selectively positionedin a vertical direction by upward and downward movement of the heald 4.

Above the thread eye 5 the heald 4 is passed through a bore 31 in astationary guide element 20 and below the thread eye it is passedthrough a bore 31′ in a movable guide element 6. The guide elements 20and 6 include a plurality of bores which are arranged in a gridconfiguration, only a part thereof being shown. A heald whose thread eyecan cause a given warp thread to be positioned in accordance with therequired pattern can pass through each of those bores 31, 31′.

While the upper guide element 20 is stationarily connected to theweaving apparatus, the lower guide element 6 serves at the same time asa lift element of a lift generating device. That means that it canperform an upward and downward movement in a lift range which isindicated by a double-headed arrow. In that respect, provided in thebores 31′ are arresting devices (not shown), by the actuation of which afixed coupling between the heald 4 and the guide element 6 can be madeor such a coupling can be released.

If coupling in relation to the heald 4 is produced by suitable actuationof the arresting device in the bore 31′, the heald is entrained by thelift movement of the movable guide element 6. Actuation is effectedpreferably electronically and/or pneumatically and/or mechanically, withthe guide element 6 and/or the heald 4 being suitably designed for thatpurpose. In the specified manner, the thread eye 5 can be positioned ina desired position, for example the upper shed or the lower shed.

Additionally or alternatively a heald which in the current operatingcycle is not taking part in the movement of the guide element 6 can alsobe connected by a suitable arresting device in the bore 31 of thestationary guide element 20 to that guide element. That ensures that theheald remains stationary. It will be appreciated that for that purposethe heald must be simultaneously uncoupled from the guide element 6.

The device according to the invention is limited in respect of itsstructural height to a region which is substantially less than thestructural height of a Jacquard loom with weaving harness and Jacquardmachine. In particular the disadvantages of a weaving harness such asharness twine breakages as a result of extreme angles and extremely highfrictional values of the harness twines in the direction-changingelements are eliminated. A further advantage is the elimination,achieved thereby, of fractures of the counter-pull springs as aconsequence of dynamic and/or static loadings on those springs.

FIG. 3 shows the operating principle of the shed forming device with twomovable guide elements which at the same time are lift elements(referred to hereinafter as guide lift elements). The guide lift elementfor the lift range low-middle and middle-low is identified by 6, theguide lift element for the lift range high-middle and middle-high isdenoted by 7, the stationary guide element (hereinafter referred to asthe guide arresting element) for arresting the healds in the lower andupper shed respectively is denoted by 8, the stationary guide elementfor receiving the healds beneath the shed is denoted by 9 and the safetyfloor which can prevent the healds from slipping out is denoted by 10.The lift region of the guide lift elements 6 and 7 is illustrated ineach case by means of the solid lines and the broken lines 6 a and 7 aand the parallel oppositely directed arrows.

The healds with the thread eyes 5, 5 a, 5 b, 5 c, 5 d, 5 e, 5 f and 5 gare denoted by 4, 4 a, 4 b, 4 c, 4 d, 4 e, 4 f, 4 g. By virtue of theirfixing 11 and 14 respectively to the guide lift element 6 the healds 4and 4 c are then in the middle shed when the guide element 6 assumes theposition indicated at 6 a. By virtue of their fixing 12 and 13 to theguide lift element 7 the healds 4 a and 4 b are also then in the middleshed when the guide lift element 7 assumes the position indicated at 7a. By virtue of their fixing 15 and 16 to the guide lift element 6 thehealds 4 d and 4 e are in the lower shed. By virtue of their fixing 17and 18 to the guide lift element 7 the healds 4f and 4 g are in theupper shed.

By virtue of their fixing 19 to the stationary guide element 8 the heald4 g also remains in the upper shed in the next pick. For that purposethe fixing 18 to the guide lift element 7 is released before thedownward movement of the guide lift element 7 begins.

The fixing or binding locations, indicated at 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16,17, 18 and 19, of the healds to or in the bores 31, 31′ of the guidelift elements 6 and 7 and of the stationary guide arresting element 8for arresting the healds in the lower shed and in the upper shedrespectively can be effected by means of magnets, a magnetic circuit, bymeans of electrical fields, by pneumatic means, but also by means ofmechanical anchoring and positively locking engagement and the like. Forthat purpose it is desirable for both the bores 31 and 31′ in the guideelements and also the healds to be of a suitably appropriate designconfiguration. Each bore or each bore region in the guide lift elementsand the stationary guide arresting elements has to be actuated inaccordance with the pattern involved. That can be effected by way ofspecial data paths. However wireless actuation is also a possibility.For receiving and guiding the healds the guide elements, instead ofbores, can have cavities of any form and nature (for example individualtubes) and in any material implementation.

It is also possible to omit the stationary guide arresting element 8 forarresting purposes above the shed. The arresting action can then beimplemented by way of the guide element 9 if that guide element is inthe form of an actuable element.

The lift movements of the guide lift elements are achieved by a suitabledrive.

In order to produce an inclined shed which may possibly be required, theguide lift elements can be divided into suitable sections so thatdifferent lift lengths are made possible.

The dimensions of the guide elements are established in accordance withthe respective loading involved, having regard to the weaving width andthe number of revolutions of the weaving machine.

The stationary guide arresting element 8 serves for positional fixing ofhealds in the lower shed and upper shed respectively if they are toremain in the following pick in accordance with the appropriate weave inthe previous position. That serves for smoother implementation of theweaving procedure.

In the case of the operational principle shown in FIG. 3 the so-calledreading or also neutral position is in the middle shed and at the sametime the closed shed. It is in that position that beating-up occurs, bywhich the weft thread is applied to the previously woven material web.When operating without the additional element 8 the return of all warpthreads is effected in the time frame of the beating-up operation, whichmakes it possible to provide for uniform tensioning of all warp threadsduring the beating-up operation. That is an aspect of particularadvantage for delicate warp materials. As the machine operating on theprinciple of FIG. 3 permits both modes of operation it is possible tochoose accordingly.

FIG. 4 shows the operating principle of the shed forming device withonly one guide lift element 21, wherein the reading position can be bothin the lower shed (solid line) and also in the upper shed (broken line).In this example the guide lift element 21 performs an upward anddownward movement for each pick or each crankshaft revolution of theweaving machine.

In this mode of operation, the stationary guide arresting element, inthe reading position in the lower shed, is to perform the function offixing the healds which are not fixed according to choice to the guidelift element 21 in the upward movement of the guide lift element 21 andthus to hold same securely in the lower shed.

A stationary guide element is identified by 9 and a floor by 10.

The same similarly applies if the reading position is in the upper shed.In this case the function of the stationary guide element 8 is to holdthe healds in the downward movement of the guide lift element 21 inaccordance with choice in the upper shed. In addition the stationaryguide arresting element 8 can also be used as an arresting means for thehealds which in accordance with choice are also to remain in the sameshed position in the next pick.

The lift range of the guide lift element 21 is illustrated by means ofthe solid line and the broken line 21 a.

By virtue of its fixing 22 to the stationary guide arresting element 8the heald 4 h is in the lower shed. By virtue of its fixing 23 to theguide lift element 21 the heald 4 i is in the upper shed. By virtue ofits fixing 24 to the stationary guide arresting element 8 the heald 4 jis in the upper shed.

FIG. 5 shows the operating principle of the shed forming device with twoguide lift elements 25 and 26. The reading position is alternately inthe upper shed and the lower shed for both guide lift elements.

The function of the stationary guide arresting element 8 is to hold thehealds in the upper shed and the lower shed respectively according tochoice.

The lift range of the guide elements 25 and 26 is respectivelyillustrated by means of the solid lines and the broken lines 25 a and 26a. By virtue of its fixing 27 to the stationary guide arresting element8 the heald 4 k is in the lower shed. By virtue of its fixing 28 theheald 41 is in the upper shed when the guide element 25 assumes theposition indicated by 25 a. By virtue of its fixing 29 to the guide liftelement 26 a the heald 4 m is in the upper shed when the guide liftelement assumes the position indicated at 26 a. By virtue of its fixing30 to the stationary guide arresting element 8 the heald 4n is in theupper shed.

FIG. 6 shows the operating principle of the shed forming device with twolift elements 32, 33 and two stationary guide elements 34, 35. Thereading position is in the middle shed for both lift elements. Thefunction of the stationary guide elements 34 and 35 is to permanentlyguide the healds 4 o-4 r. The thread eyes of the healds are indicated by5 o-5 r.

The lift elements 32, 33 provide for additional guidance of the healds 4o-4 r only when they are fixed to the corresponding lift elements 32,33. Fixing of the healds to the lift elements or release thereof iseffected at the two end regions of the healds.

In this example the lift elements can be of a similar designconfiguration to the so-called blades of a Jacquard machine. Equally thehealds can be similar to the bars of a Jacquard machine.

The lift range of the lift elements 32, 33 is illustrated by means ofthe solid and broken lines.

The healds 40 are in the middle shed by virtue of the middle shed andreading position of the lift elements 32, 33. With this mode ofoperation, basically all healds are in the middle shed, in the middleshed and reading position of the lift elements.

By virtue of the fixing 36 of the healds 40 to the lift element 32 thatheald is moved upwardly into the upper shed position. That position isillustrated by means of the heald 4 p. By virtue of the fixing 37 to thelift element 32 that heald is in the upper shed.

Similarly to that mode of operation for positioning the healds in theupper shed the illustration of the healds 4 q and 4 r shows thepositioning of the healds in the lower shed. By virtue of the middleshed and reading position of the lift elements 32, 33 the heald 4 q isin the middle shed. By virtue of the fixing 38 of the heald 4 q to thelift element 33 that heald is moved downwardly into the lower shedposition. That position is illustrated by means of the heald 4 r. Byvirtue of the fixing 39 to the lift element 33 that heald 4 r is in thelower shed.

The operating examples of FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6 show just a few fixing andrelease combinations of the healds in relation to the lift elements andin relation to the arresting elements (fixing=coupling of the healds tothe respective elements; release=uncoupling of the healds from therespective elements). All operating principles afford the possibleoption of positioning all elements selectively above and/or below theshed. It will be appreciated that there are further possiblecombinations of the elements required, including in relation to thenumber of elements.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of arresting devices for connecting orreleasing the positioning elements. Provided in the openings 31 of theguide lift elements are chambers 41, into which can engage nosesprovided on the healds 4. As will be apparent, the width of the openingof the openings 31 is of such a size that, when the noses 40 do notengage into the chambers or recesses 41, unimpeded lift movement ispossible. As illustrated by the arrows indicated at the upper ends ofthe healds the healds are movable transversely to the lift direction,more specifically in such a way that the noses 40 can engage into therecess in the form of chambers 41 and thereby an arresting action iseffected or in another position they can execute an unimpeded liftmovement. The transverse movement is effected by means of suitabletransverse motion devices (not shown) which are adapted to be actuable,Depending on the respective position involved the heald 4 is thenentrained upwardly into the upper shed by the lower guide lift elementor entrained downwardly into the lower shed with the other guide liftelement.

The positions of the healds identified in FIG. 7 by A through D are asfollows:

Position A:

Both guide lift elements with their openings 31 are in the middle shed.The nose 40 of the heald 4 is pressed towards the right by thetransverse positioning device which for example is in the form of amicrocircuit into the recess in the form of the chamber 41 of theopening 31 of the upper guide lift element.

Position B:

The guide lift elements are moved upwardly and downwardly respectively.As the nose 40 of the heald 4 engages into the chamber 41 of the opening31 of the upper guide lift element the heald is entrained upwardly intothe upper shed.

Position C:

Both guide lift elements with their openings 31 are in the middle shed.The nose 40 of the heald 4 is pressed by the transverse positioningdevices towards the left into the chamber 41 of the opening 31 of thelower guide lift element.

Position D:

The guide lift elements are moved upwardly or downwardly respectively.As the nose 40 of the heald 4 engages into the chamber 41 of the opening31 of the lower guide lift element the heald 4 is entrained downwardlyinto the lower shed.

In the embodiment diagrammatically shown in FIG. 9 the healds 4 do nothave any noses but recesses 42. Associated with the recesses 42 arenoses which are in the form of bars 43, pins or the like and which arearranged stationarily in the respective opening 31. In this case also,the transverse positioning device can provide that the healds are urgedwith their recesses on to the bars 43 or are not in engagement and canperform the lift movement. In the engagement position the heald iscoupled to the guide lift element in question. The transversepositioning device can also operate magnetically. In the couplingposition the heald is moved with the respective guide lift element intothe upper shed or lower shed respectively.

The invention accordingly provides a harness-less shed forming devicefor individual thread control, wherein the required lift movements forproducing the shed are implemented with elements which take over thelift movement and guidance of the healds at the same time. Theelimination of an additional harness avoids the following knowndisadvantages:

premature wear of the harness due to twine breakages, comber and harnessguide plate incisions, breakages of the counter-pull springs;

reduced numbers of revolutions of the weaving machine.

The required superstructure for the conventional Jacquard machine andthe great structural height for the production areas are eliminated.That affords enormous economic benefits and technical advantages.

What is claimed is:
 1. A shed forming device for the textile industry,comprising: at least one positioning element movable in a verticaldirection for moving a thread of a material web to be produced into aposition which is in accordance with a pattern and a weave; a thread eyeaffixed to the at least one positioning element for receiving the threadof the material web to be produced; a lift guide element for moving theat least one positioning element in the vertical direction, the liftguide element having a selectively actuable arresting device affixedthereto for selectively connecting the at least one positioning elementto the lift guide element and for selectively releasing the at least onepositioning element from the lift guide element, the actuable arrestingdevice having an opening for accepting and guiding the at least onepositioning element; a lift generating device associated with the liftguide element for moving the lift guide element in the verticaldirection; and a stationary guide element having a selectively actuablearresting device affixed thereto for selectively connecting the at leastone positioning element to the stationary guide element and forselectively releasing the at least one positioning element from thestationary guide element, the actuable arresting device having anopening for accepting and guiding the at least one positioning element.2. The shed forming device of claim 1, wherein the at least onepositioning element and thread eye are made of a substantially rigidmaterial.
 3. The shed forming device of claim 1, wherein the at leastone positioning element and thread eye are made of a substantiallyflexible elastic material.
 4. The shed forming device of claim 1,wherein the at least one positioning element and thread eye comprise aone-piece body.
 5. The shed forming device of claim 1, wherein the liftguide element arresting device and the stationary guide elementarresting device are electronically actuable.
 6. The shed forming deviceof claim 1, wherein the lift guide element arresting device and thestationary guide element arresting device are pneumatically actuable. 7.The shed forming device of claim 1, wherein the lift guide elementarresting device and the stationary guide element arresting device aremechanically actuable.
 8. The shed forming device of claim 1, whereinthe lift guide element arresting device and the stationary guide elementarresting device each have a recess for selectively engagingcorresponding noses provided on the at least one positioning element;wherein the at least one positioning element is movable in a directionwhich is transverse with respect to the vertical direction; wherein theshed forming device further comprises a selectively actuable device formoving the at least one positioning element transversely with respect tothe vertical direction and into an engagement position; and wherein thewidths of the opening of the lift guide element arresting device and thestationary guide element arresting device are of such a dimension thatunimpeded vertical movement of the at least one positioning element ispossible when the at least one positioning element is in anon-engagement position.
 9. The shed forming device of claim 1, whereinthe lift guide element arresting device and the stationary guide elementarresting device each have a nose for selectively engaging correspondingnose openings provided on the at least one positioning element; whereinthe at least one positioning element is movable in a direction which istransverse with respect to the vertical direction; wherein the shedforming device further comprises a selectively actuable device formoving the at least one positioning element transversely with respect tothe vertical direction and into an engagement position; and wherein thewidths of the opening of the lift guide element arresting device and thestationary guide element arresting device are of such a dimension thatunimpeded vertical movement of the at least one positioning element ispossible when the at least one positioning element is in anon-engagement position.
 10. A shed forming device for the textileindustry, comprising: a plurality of positioning elements movable in avertical direction for moving threads of a material web to be producedinto positions which are in accordance with a pattern and a weave; athread eye affixed to each positioning element for receiving one of thethreads of the material web to be produced; two lift guide elements formoving the positioning elements in the vertical direction, each liftguide element having a plurality of selectively actuable arrestingdevices affixed thereto for selectively connecting the positioningelements to the lift guide element and for selectively releasing thepositioning elements from the lift guide element, each actuablearresting device having an opening for accepting and guiding one of theplurality of positioning elements; a lift generating device associatedwith the lift guide elements for moving the lift guide elements in thevertical direction; and a stationary guide element having a plurality ofselectively actuable arresting devices affixed thereto for selectivelyconnecting the positioning elements to the stationary guide element andfor selectively releasing the positioning elements from the stationaryguide element, each actuable arresting device having an opening foraccepting and guiding one of the plurality of positioning elements. 11.The shed forming device of claim 10, wherein the lift guide elementarresting device and the stationary guide element arresting device eachhave a recess for selectively engaging corresponding noses provided onthe at least one positioning element; wherein the at least onepositioning element is movable in a direction which is transverse withrespect to the vertical direction; wherein the shed forming devicefurther comprises a selectively actuable device for moving the at leastone positioning element transversely with respect to the verticaldirection and into an engagement position; and wherein the widths of theopening of the lift guide element arresting device and the stationaryguide element arresting device are of such a dimension that unimpededvertical movement of the at least one positioning element is possiblewhen the at least one positioning element is in a non-engagementposition.
 12. The shed forming device of claim 10, wherein the liftguide element arresting device and the stationary guide elementarresting device each have a nose for selectively engaging correspondingnoses provided on the at least one positioning element; wherein the atleast one positioning element is movable in a direction which istransverse with respect to the vertical direction; wherein the shedforming device further comprises a selectively actuable device formoving the at least one positioning element transversely with respect tothe vertical direction and into an engagement position; and wherein thewidths of the opening of the lift guide element arresting device and thestationary guide element arresting device are of such a dimension thatunimpeded vertical movement of the at least one positioning element ispossible when the at least one positioning element is in anon-engagement position.
 13. A shed forming device for the textileindustry, comprising: a plurality of positioning elements movable in avertical direction and in the direction transverse thereto for movingthreads of a material web to be produced into positions which are inaccordance with a pattern and a weave; a thread eye affixed to eachpositioning element for receiving one of the threads of the material webto be produced; two lift guide elements for moving the positioningelements in the vertical direction, each lift guide element having aplurality of selectively actuable arresting devices affixed thereto forselectively connecting the positioning elements to the lift guideelement and for selectively releasing the positioning elements from thelift guide element; a selectively actuable device for moving each of thepositioning elements individually and transversely with respect to thevertical direction and into an engagement position; a lift generatingdevice associated with the lift guide elements for moving the lift guideelements in the vertical direction; and a stationary guide elementhaving a plurality of selectively actuable arresting devices affixedthereto for selectively connecting the positioning elements to thestationary guide element and for selectively releasing the positioningelements from the stationary guide element; wherein each of the liftguide element arresting devices and stationary guide element arrestingdevices has an opening for accepting and guiding one of the plurality ofpositioning elements, and each actuable arresting device further havinga nose for selectively engaging corresponding nose openings provided oneach corresponding positioning element, wherein the widths of theopening of the lift guide element arresting device and the stationaryguide element arresting device are of such a dimension that unimpededvertical movement of the at least one positioning element is possiblewhen the at least one positioning element is in a non-engagementposition.